New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-01
PAPER CHASE VANITIES.

PAPER CHASE VANITIES.
THE EXCITING SPORT OF wASHINGTON'S
GlLDED YOUTH.
WASHINGTON, April 3O-The third and last paper
hunt has been celebrated by the upper classes under
circumstances Of peculiar splendor and gayety. The
event not only intended closing celebration Of
the unique and robust sport of chasing Tissue paper
horseback, but it also designed farewell compl-
ment to Mrs Heyar, the English beauty, who sails for
home n few days. taking along with her her toilets her
poodle and perhaps her husband The occasion fur
Their distinguished for having the finish on the lawn
Of Secretary Whneys sumptuous country Several
days had been appointed but although the Signal Ser
vice office made the most obsequious representations
the weather rreverenty nterfered with rain and wind
OF well-ordered paper chaser do any
thing the RAIN and II that high winds
the effect of spelling the scent But the elements at
last reented and Wednesday tho festivities occurred
It was a bright and beautiful day; there dust
and scarcely any breeZe-the very day TO bring out
beauty and dog and 10 furnish the hunters with
redhot trail. The meet was brilliant scene. Nearly
all the society leaders attended, and TO make the happ
all present complete, Butler Malone appeared
outrde the darlings and snatch the prize from the
anointed All was ready; everybody eagerncss and ex
pectaon One OF the judges gave n striking imitation of
hounds whimper." There an instant OF derous
excitement. And then, with Yoicks :" and Hark
Forward tne nunt ElllOpeu Wildly over the aspnait
and struck into the beautiful macadamized road that
leads to Grasslands." A favored few who owned
their mounts naturally took the lead next the
dudes livery hacks, and then the rest laundering
along in herdics and hansoms 1t beautiful sight.
The road smooth the scent very strong and the
thusiasm unbounded Barely had the vehicles reached
the Whitney lawn and drawnup in line to witness the
finish when the hunters ambled mady in. jumping two
hurdles more than foot high and leaping formidable
drain nearly eighteen inches wide and much nine
inches deep. The prize won by some foreigner,
believe whose intrepid manner OF taking the macadam
was loudly applauded and whose hardihood in making
the waterjump universally pronounced too cute
for anything"
OF course goes without saying that there plenty
to cat and drink Grassands" and II needs gift of
insight suppose that the glded youth glad after
the arlors Of the chase, supplement their regular
luncheon at Wards Dairy with a really square meal
There will be more paper hunts this season. The
q society breakup" is near at hand and until next
seasons teas and entertainments come around the
average Washington beau will have stick his three
legged stool the department and fight the wrinkles in
his stomach with ham sandwiches az the market
But It seems almost hcartess TO dwell upon this idle
gayety and sken leisure while OF majors colonies
toling for their country i'm the
great departments Of the Government Turn from the
giddy throng, and with moment 10 the grimy
workshop of Of these sweating patriots. 1t Is 10
o'clock In the morning. LieutenantCOlonel Bounce,
Assistant ThngabobGeneral has just dragged his weary
footsteps 10 the Office. Compelled TO rise at $50 or
a. H. while his windows but gllmmering square," and
when yet the luxurious garbage man has not begun
his rounds this martyr has snatchcd hasty breakfast
and hurried fast battered limbs would carry him 20
save his native land Only rosewood desk with velvet
footstool attachment only plain ebony and Russia
leather armchair with piyois and rockers 20 his
palms, only of electric buttons to call the nsolent
and fated clerks from the beyond. TO
the doOrkeeper from the hail. 10 bring the valet 70
light his cigarette his hat, pick up his
handkerchief that has fallen to the floor Only these
and few other mtigatons Of fate that for sorlid
and cruel toll has parallel in the annals Of mmola
ton Watch the Scared and battered old veteran he
stretches himself upon the sofa to struggle with the
morning paper-negeccd weary, MANNED, desoate,
for the sense duty thrills his every fibre Watch
him as dozes instant while unsympathizing
minion stands him TO brush away the flies. This
nearly hour. For much fifty minutes at
stretch-literally at stretch this barbarous
drudgery goes Then the hero staggers 20 his feet
and hobbies over the Russia leather chair and is
wheeled into position at tho desk by the callous
myrmidon. touch on the c button Is followed by n
distant electric g and Immediately there enters to
him naughty clerk with scornfully wreathod lip, bear
ing three papers for signature He at them with
shudder. His sad eyes say impl0ringy Couldn't you
make it two ~ but the brave old lips utter complaint
He signs those papers unAnchingy and thenor he is
but human after alvhe faints away. For hour and
thirteen minutes he has been upon the rack OF duty For
an hour and thirteen minutes he has given his strength
his mind, his energies 70 an ungractul but beloved
country 1t Is too fnuch-iafre viii endure no more
He fants away into his overcoa and hatfa!nts away 10
the cub-and not until nearly noon does he succeed In
fesusctatng himself on deviled oyster and in raying
sufficiently to hold hand at whist.
This Is no fancy picture. II Ia typical Of the lives Of
hardship and drudgery and selfdcna led by dozens Of
devoted men in this proud nations service. How, OH
how can one think OF the eastng and revelry ut the
paper hunt. while such scenes are being enacted at
ones very elbow
The Department OF State rs becoming more and more
rcspecter OF persons the following stor Will show
Senator who sailed for Europe last week thought
passport might he useful the other side. lie called
at the State Department morning shortly before
leaving the city, and Informed that he must apply TO
the chief clerk for the passport 1t possible that this
individual would have known the Senator
had he been In his office. But he ont and his
assistant who is conspicuous success
society young man." did not know his visitor. with
the nerest glance, and IN tone OF lofty Indifference he
said: ~ passport oh, you will have TO 60 down 10
the floor below where they made ont The Senator
turned quietly from the young would-be diplomats
presence and by dn Of inQuirfound the passport room
Another aristOcratic young man here met his request
with, Want passport do youf Well, what Is your
BY this time the Senator began to feel interested in this
aroused. My business T. he replied. Really can't
say that am engaged In business at this time -.
DWELL what Is your occupation, then What do you
do for living 2" asked the young clerk In condescend
ing tone and scarcely looking UP from his newspaper
any occupation for the most part Is In Congress. l
am Senator -"
"Oh. beg your pardon, Senator" exclaimed the
suddenly surprised arbiter OF passports sprngng from
his seat with a jack-nthe bound and bowling with
State Department dignity Certainly Senator. But
not here You want special from chief clerk. The
Special passports made out Ut there am exceeding
" sorry, Sepator, but this way, Senator II
please and the how attentive, not TO say obsequOus
young escorted the Senator TO the door, bowling
him ont with many apologies for the Z" little mistake"
The Senator, amused than ever, made his way
back TO the chief clerks rOom where stated that lac
had been directed there for his passport Again
the a4stocratc assistant repeated You viii have TO go
below for your passport We issue only specials here
believe II IS special passport that want said the
Senator mOdestly :.
Specials are for officials" replied the naughty
assistant not degnng 10 ask the OF the Senator or
bis business, as the young man below had done Doctor